The two gendarmes took revenge on a person who “tried to hit them [de machette] that could have ended fatally,” said prosecutor Hervé Leroy.
A man in his 30s, armed with a machete, was killed by the gendarmes in Taravao, Tahiti on Wednesday, AFP has learned from a judicial source who has corroborated information from Polynesia’s first channel.
Two gendarmes, called to deal with a burglary in Taravao, found themselves on a street in that town in the southeast of the island, facing the suspect, who then, according to prosecutors, threw a stone in their direction.
“One of the gendarmes used his taser, which was ineffective, and the man pointed a machete and tried to hit them, which could have been fatal,” said prosecutor Hervé Leroy.
The two gendarmes retaliated by drawing their guns and shooting in his direction. The suspect, who could not be revived, died at the scene.
Two open investigations
“I would like to emphasize that the gendarmes are forced to use their weapons because they have to neutralize an attacker,” the prosecutor said.
Two investigations were opened: one for attempted murder of a person holding public authority and another for intentional use of force resulting in death without intention of giving it, in order to determine whether the shooting of the gendarmes was justified.
The two gendarmes were taken into custody and an autopsy ordered. This type of incident is extremely rare in Tahiti, particularly in the rural south of the island.
Original article published on BFMTV.com
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